A grandfather believes he is Australia’s oldest intern after deciding he needed a career change and taking up an internship at the age of 78.
Ken Holmes, a grandfather of two, chose to start work in the administration department of a local elderly care facility after his wife passed away.
Ken previously spent 30 years making surgical tools at Melbourne University before retiring to care for his sick wife. He said, “I’m doing this course for myself. I’m tired of talking to my dogs and cats who don’t talk back.”
“My favorite part of the job is working with older people and, if I behave myself, I just might get a bed here,” he joked.
Ken’s already completed the theory part of his course and is now enjoying more hands-on work, following which he can find a job in the care industry.
“I haven’t told my kids what I’m doing because I know they would say that I should be at home.”
And Ken thinks anyone who’s bored of retirement and well enough to get out and about should follow in his footsteps, saying: “My advice to anyone else my age who is still fit and healthy is to go back to work.”
After all, age really is just a number.